Original subtitles

So, Calvin, what are we drinking to?

To success.

Marty and I are having our grand opening

in a couple of weeks.

It's all coming together.

Ah, well, to Butler and Butler.

Oh, uh, we actually have to change the name.

There is a Butler and Butler Funeral Home.

Now, I made them an offer,

but they said over their dead bodies.

(snickers) (laughs)

A pun, huh?

You really are in a good mood.

In that case, these guys sound like a real bunch of stiffs.

Am I right?

No.

Oh, Mama.

I have only had three dates with Janelle,

and she says you invited her here for dinner tomorrow.

Uh-huh.

And you didn't ask me?

Well, I didn't know if you were free.

I mean, you're more than welcome to come.

Well, th-this is a little awkward, Ma.

It's a new relationship, and she is my English professor.

Well, you're the one who said that she may be the one.

Don't you want your mother's opinion? No.

Pop, did you know about this?

Of course.

I keep up with my woman.

Ah.

There's my partner. Come on in.

I was just telling Dave how great everything's going.

Yeah, I'm not so sure.

There are protesters in the street in Boyle Heights.

They're marching against gentrification

in the neighborhood. Good.

I hope they march those suckers right on out of there.

No offense, Dave.

Uh, none taken, but, Calvin,

you should really read this flyer.

Th-They're talking about your business.

They say that you're the gentrifiers.

What?

I can't be a gentrifier.

I'm not even white. No offense, Dave.

* Welcome to the block, welcome to the neighborhood *

* Welcome to the hood. *

Dave, isn't Grover's family tree project looking great?

Oh, amazing.

Hey, wasn't Great-Grandma Johnson a handsome woman?

My teacher says I need her personal details.

What was her job?

Oh, well, it was World War I,

and she ran a house, and...

There were other women there.

And, um...

Okay, you see, when, um, when soldiers, uh...

who were lonely and had money

would come home from the war...

Just say nurse, Dave.

She was a nurse.

Um, the only missing piece is your dad.

Oh. Well, you know, my dad left

when I was younger than you are now, Grover.

Hmm.

What if I just put a picture of some other old guy?

Here. This guy'll do.

Grover, that's Colonel Sanders.

Cool. Grandpa was in the Army.

(laughs)

Pop, why don't you tell Janelle about you and Marty's new shop?

They're gonna be fixing electric cars.

Yes, that's right.

It's called the Fuse Box.

Ooh, I like that name, but, wait,

do electric cars even have fuses?

(cackles)

Do-do electric cars have fuses?

(laughter)

Do they?

They don't, but, you know,

it's-it's just a fun, retro name.

Yes, retro.

Listen, you know what?

A funny thing happened. Um...

The people saw us building a nice new shop,

and they thought that we were there

to gentrify their neighborhood.

MARTY: Yeah, I-I don't know

if it's that funny, Dad.

You know, I was on Twitter and people are worked up.

They are?

Yeah. There's even a hashtag.

#RefuseTheFuse.

(groans) CALVIN: Then I'll-- you know,

I'll just come up with my own hashtag

and drown them out.

#Calvin'sDope.

#ButlerLove. You know?

Oh, hey, buddy. Is that the finished product?

Let me see it. Yeah, I got everybody.

And it turns out Great-Grandma Johnson wasn't

a nurse after all.

I asked Grammy,

and she said she was a lady of the night.

Okay, uh, well, do you know what that means?

Well, obviously she solved crimes after dark.

Uh, well, you know, Grover, that's not exactly what it was.

No, don't argue with Grammy.

Is that a picture of my dad?

Whoa, that's recent.

Where did you get that?

Facebook.

It's this old website.

He lives in Oxnard.

He loves Huey Lewis and the News,

just like you do, Dave.

Yeah. I mean, that's not saying much.

Everybody loves Huey Lewis and the News.

I'll meet you in the car, sweetie.

Dave, did you know your dad was so close by?

I had no idea.

I mean, he sent me a friend request on Facebook,

but that was years ago.

Oh, my God. You never told me that.

I didn't accept it.

I mean, just 'cause he lives in Oxnard

and is apparently a fellow member of

the Hugh Crew doesn't change the fact

that he abandoned me when I was 11.

(sighs)

Now I have "Hip to Be Square" stuck in my head.

And for the first time, I am not loving it.

Oh, hey.

Oh, hello, fellas.

What is that you say?

"What grade did you get on your English paper, Malcolm?"

An "A."

(laughs) Ooh. Wow.

You got an "A" from your girlfriend.

That's surprising.

(chuckles sarcastically)

Oh, please, man. I got an "A" because I earned it.

And your boy might just make the dean's list.

Oh, is Janelle the dean, too?

(laughter)

(laughs forcefully) No.

Hey, look, there's no shame in it.

You're still excelling because of your skills.

Just maybe not your academic skills.

(mutters) (laughter)

Hey, look, Malcolm.

I did the same thing to get a job at Arby's.

What? That...

You know what? I have always gotten good grades.

I'm not gonna let you two get in my head.

And wasn't the manager of that Arby's your cousin?

I mean, by marriage.

A lot of people showed up for this.

You were right, we should have bought

a third tray of tacos.

No way.

You know who buys three trays of tacos?

Jeff Bezos.

We don't want them thinking we're one of those out-of-touch

rich corporations with unlimited taco money.

Ah.

These are fantastic.

Oh, well, all right.

I'm glad you enjoy them.

You ever been to El Rey's?

Best Mexican food in South Pasadena.

Oh, I'll have to check it out sometime.

Luis Cabrera. Uh...

Very nice setup you got here.

Well, I mean, it's not too nice, you know, but, uh,

Calvin Butler. Oh.

Man of the people.

Well, I can't wait to hear what you guys got planned.

Awesome. Okay.

Um, so can, um, everybody please have a seat?

Sit down!

Thank you.

Okay, baby. Go ahead.

Yeah, all right, uh, hello, everybody.

I am Calvin Butler,

co-owner of Fuse Box EV Solutions.

This is my partner, my son Marty Butler.

And as you can see,

we are no gentrifiers.

Okay? So I hope

that clears everything up.

Please enjoy the tacos.

Uh, Luis, my new friend.

Do you, uh, do you have a question?

Uh, yes. Yes, uh, thanks, Calvin.

Uh, my-my question is very simple, um...

Who the hell do you think you are?

Excuse me?

What? You think that just because you're not

some white guy, we're gonna be cool

with you busting into our neighborhood

and pushing out our businesses?

Look, I-I'm not busting or pushing anything.

We're building and improving.

Oh, is that what this is? Improvement?

You know, I-I think I liked it better

when we could all get together

as a neighborhood and enjoy our coffee shops

and our-our tailor and our bookstore. (murmuring in agreement)

But, no, it's all gone now.

But yet here you are with your fancy ED Solutions.

Uh, it-it-it's EV Solutions.

Uh, it's very different.

I miss the coffee shop.

They have the best conchas.

(overlapping agreements) CALVIN: Okay, look, look.

I don't know nothing about no couches.

All right?

That coffee shop was not here when we leased the place.

It was already closed.

You're right. You're right, it was.

They raised the rent because outsiders like you

with fat wallets came in, am I right?

GROUP: Yeah.

Guys, guys, look.

We want to be a friend to the neighborhood, all right?

I brought tacos.

Only two trays.

Yeah, and the worst part,

they're from Pasadena.

(groaning, murmuring)

You can't bring Pasadena tacos to Boyle Heights.

(chanting): One, two, three, four!

We don't want your EV store!

One, two, three, four!

We don't want your EV store!

(chanting continues) Oh, no, no, no. Well, you know what?

Y'all got chants? Well, I got chants.

(chanting): Hell no.

No tacos.

Hell no. No tacos.

I'm the boss, so grab that salsa.

(chanting): One, two, three, four...

I mean, where do those people get off

saying my shop's gonna ruin their neighborhood?

And they've got some nerve yelling at my man,

and those corny-ass chants.

Mine was better than theirs, and it was off the dome.

Dave? What's going on, man?

You hitting that yo-yo pretty hard.

You know most men learn to yo-yo from their dads?

Uh, no.

I didn't get that.

I had to teach myself.

How to yo-yo?

Yeah, see? You get it.

You were there for Malcolm and Marty

during their yo-yo years.

They didn't have to go to the library and get a book.

Okay.

Hey, I'm starting to think this is not about a yo-yo.

Oh, yeah, great, here comes the lecture.

"This isn't about a yo-yo, Dave.

This is about your dad coming back into your life."

Okay. What?

Look, come on, man, sit down.

What's-what's going on?

Grover found my dad.

Apparently, he lives in Oxnard, and...

I haven't seen him since I was 11.

Hmm.

So, are you gonna see him?

Why should I?

He up and left when I was a kid. I mean, you're a dad.

Would you ever do that to your kids?

(scoffs) No, sir.

Well, guess who did.

My father Lamar Johnson.

Grover? Lamar?

You Johnsons are killing me with these Black-ass names.

Look, as far as I'm concerned, any man that leaves you as a kid

doesn't deserve anything from you.

Yeah, thank you.

But maybe you deserve something from him.

Dave, I miss my dad every day,

and I would give anything for the opportunity

just to speak with him for a few more minutes.

I mean, think about it, maybe...

you need some clarity.

Maybe you want to hear his story.

No, no, I don't want to hear his story.

I need him to hear my story.

I'm just so angry, Calvin.

Dave, if that's the way you feel, then tell him.

But just make sure you don't miss the chance

while you still have it.

Maybe you're right.

(sighs) Thanks, Calvin.

Wow.

Never seen someone yo-yo sad.

(knocking)

Gemma, you got a min...

(shushes)

One of the smoke detectors

has a low battery beep.

I'm trying to figure out which one.

Got it.

I just had a quick question...

(smoke detector beeps) No, no, no, no!

Ooh, you talked over it.

Now we have about 30 seconds. What's up?

Okay, uh, before you were a principal,

you were a teacher, right?

Would your personal feelings towards a student

ever affect how you graded them?

All the time.

Really?

I'm not gonna give a good grade

to the kid who said I had manly hands.

Oh. (clicks tongue)

Okay, Gemma, but, uh...

Damn, I never noticed your hands before.

They are...

lovely.

I still don't notice 'em.

(smoke detector beeps)

Was that in the kitchen?

I thought it was upstairs.

Damn it.

So,

this is about you being in Janelle's class?

Yes, I am doing really well in the class,

but now I'm worried it's because...

I'm doing really well outside the class.

(chuckling)

(laughing): Okay.

Because you're so good at pleasing her?

(laughing): Oh, men.

It is not that funny.

(sighs)

(chuckles)

You know what I should do?

I should do a terrible job on the paper on purpose,

see if she gives me an "A" anyway, there it is.

Can you believe that Luis guy?

Bad-mouthing Pasadena tacos?

Ain't nothing wrong with these tacos.

Well, you know, I-I was thinking, though,

what they're concerned about,

they're not crazy.

Are you taking their side and eating all the carnitas?

(muttering) No, D-Daddy, no, that...

Uh...

You know what, baby? Maybe he's right.

You know, those people are afraid

their neighborhood is losing its identity.

And you of all people should understand that.

I mean, you remember how upset you were

when Friendly's Market was replaced

by Mucho Mochi? Mm-hmm.

I wasn't upset.

You damn near lost your mind.

And now it's your favorite.

It's not my favorite.

(scoffs) I mean,

I like the green tea, but it's not my favorite.

Dad, to be fair,

most of the people in that neighborhood

can't afford electric cars.

They don't see how our business helps them.

Okay, but you saw what commercial property

is going for these days. All right?

That was the only space we could afford.

Now, if those people don't like it,

then I don't know what to tell 'em.

Maybe don't tell them anything.

Just go down there, be your charming self,

and show them that you understand.

MARTY: Yeah, Dad.

You get them together

and you prove to them that you're an ally.

That... Marty, Marty, Marty, Marty. You know what?

I know what I'm-a do.

I'm just gonna go down there, be my charming self,

and prove to them that I'm an ally.

(knocking)

Hold on.

Hello. Hey, handsome.

BOTH: Mmm.

Hey, can I ask you a question?

Of course.

What the hell is this?

That is my essay.

Oh, well, let me read you my favorite passage.

Okay. "This story was short,

"making it a short story

"as opposed to a long story,

which is a novel." (mouths)

That is technically true.

Well, yes, it is.

And so, technically, you got a "D."

(laughs)

That is fantastic.

Why is that fantastic?

Well, because you passed my test.

You see, I was all worried

that I was only getting A's because...

you and I are a thing.

So, you wrote this garbage on purpose?

Yes, I did. (laughs)

Pretty brilliant, right?

Let me get this straight.

You thought I would give you an "A"

that you didn't earn?

But now I know that you wouldn't,

so... (laughs)

You want some of this cheese plate?

It's... Mm-mm.

So, in that mind of yours,

you thought you were breaking me off so good

that I would just throw away my principles?

Well, now that you have said it out loud

like that, I-I kind of feel like an ass.

Hmm.

And an egomaniac. Mm.

And a-- and an idiot?

Keep going.

More? That's...

I didn't give you the credit you deserve,

and I'm sorry.

And right after dinner, I'm gonna rewrite that essay.

Well, you can rewrite it. I'm not gonna regrade it.

You got a "D."

Damn, you are beautiful,

you're smart, and you have integrity.

I like that. Mm.

You're still getting a "D." Damn.

Well, Dr. Finch, that makes two of us.

All right. Hey, everybody.

Thank you so much for coming back. Hey...

Really, Luis?

That's what we doing?

Well, you didn't seem to get the hint last time,

so I thought you could use a little, um, visual aid.

Could-could, uh... could-could I get one of those?

Now, what did I do?

(chanting): One, two, three, four!

We don't want your EV store!

Five, six, seven, eight!

Fuse Box is the place we hate!

(chanting continues) Oh, oh, so y'all adding verses?

You know what? People, come on.

Can we just take this down a notch?

(chanting stops) (sighs)

Listen, I owe you all an apology.

The character of my neighborhood matters to me.

Now, I realize that

the character of your neighborhood matters to you.

And the other night, after some contemplation

all on my own, without any help from anyone...

...I realized that I need to be your ally.

Look, I have a plan, all right?

Is there someone here named Julian?

I'm Julian.

Julian, look, I understand that

you used to have a coffee shop on this block.

Well, I've been thinking

I could use a coffee stand right in that corner.

You know, people could have a latte

while they wait for their cars to be repaired,

and I'm gonna need somebody to run it.

This dude is literally giving my job to somebody else.

Uh, no, I was talking about you.

Oh, cool. I-I could do that.

Julian is not the sharpest cheese on the cracker, is he?

Okay. And-and I'm not done here, people.

I want to hire local.

I understand that

Antonia's Tacos was a local institution

before you lost your lease.

Well, I got a permanent spot for you

in the parking lot out front

for your taco truck. (shrieks)

(laughing): Thank you.

Thank you.

Ay! You are an angel, Mr. Calvin.

(laughs)

And to-to all of you.

If you used to work around here,

please let me know what your skills are.

Maybe we can find a place for you at the shop.

So, now he thinks he can just buy us.

Oh, God. This guy.

Well, I can be bought.

Me, too.

Listen, Luis.

We're trying to meet you halfway, man.

Are you with us?

(sighs) Fine. Fine.

We'll call off the protest, but we'll be watching you.

You know what? We'll be watching you.

Well, you know where I'll be, so I'll be watching you.

(stammers) You watch me and I'll watch you.

We'll just be watching.

Okay. Yeah, we'll just see

who watches the most. Uh-huh.

Gonna be watching me, like I... Yeah.

(muttering) Still watching you.

You keep watching. (scoffs)

Like, like, he the only one who can watch people.

(both muttering) Still watching!

(smoke detector beeps)

Where did that beep come from?

I don't know.

Is that your dad's friend request?

Yeah.

Looks like he posted some pictures

from the Huey Lewis concert.

Yeah, it's from the Plan B tour.

That album was-- and I don't say this lightly--

just okay.

(chuckles) Okay. Look.

Whatever you decide, I support you.

You know that.

But he did reach out.

(sighs) That's something.

(sighs)

Friend request accepted.

(smoke detector beeps)

(objects clattering)

I got it!

Captioning sponsored by CBS

and TOYOTA.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org